President
Victor Yushchenko held a meeting today with Minister of Health of Ukraine Vasyl
Knyazevych.
The main discussed
question was a tragic death of a 17-year-old schoolboy from Kramatorsk,
Donetsk region, after
receiving measles vaccination. According to President the tragedy has shaken
the whole Ukrainian society so the authorities must present an adequate and
rapid reaction to the situation. He also demanded public investigation on the
case. “We must gain back the confidence where it has been lost: for the ministry
and for medical staff”, - said Victor Yushchenko.
The
Minister from his part reported to President on the preliminary conclusions
made by a special inquiry commission, initiated by the ministry, with participation
of experts from the WHO and UNICEF. According to Mr. Knyazevych preliminary investigation
shows that this has been a coincidence, as together with the schoolboy other 60
thousand people aged 16 through 29 has also received the vaccine and are
feeling fine. At the same time he informed that Ministry of Health has
currently ceased using the type of vaccine, which the deceased young man had received.
